Rio Tinto to expand metals trading beyond own output

Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest miner, is planning to broaden its trading activities beyond its own production to include third-party materials and derivatives, according to a report by Bloomberg. The move, spearheaded by the company's chief executive Simon Trott, aims to extract more value from the miner. This shift from focusing solely on its own production, a practice Rio Tinto has traditionally maintained, would differentiate it from Glencore, another major player in the industry, which maintains a much larger trading network.

The initiative, which is under the purview of chief commercial officer Bold Baatar, is not aimed at creating a standalone commodity trading entity. Instead, Rio Tinto intends to significantly expand its existing commercial business. The company sees potential in trading third-party materials in markets where its existing assets provide an advantage.

This includes alumina, where the company has surpluses in some regions and shortages in others. In North America, Rio Tinto's Kennecott operations have spare copper smelting capacity, making it a strategic location for handling additional material.

Copper cathode and related products, such as sulphuric acid, could also be traded by Rio Tinto. Currently, the company's commercial team comprises about 20 traders, and this number could increase as the expansion unfolds. This strategic move aligns with Trott's broader overhaul of Rio Tinto since he took over as CEO last year. The overhaul includes plans to simplify the company, sell assets, cut costs, and improve returns.

Additionally, Rio Tinto is in discussions with Dutch multinational Vitol Group over a potential joint venture in freight and logistics, a move that could further reshape the miner's global supply chain.